Phuket to Koh Yao Yai/Koh Yao Noi by Green Planet Speed Boat

Phuket’s east coast gives way to the quieter islands of Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi in just 30 to 40 minutes. This is a simple transport service, not a sightseeing cruise, but the short run across the Andaman Sea offers open-water views and gets you away from Phuket’s busy resort zone fast. I like the low price and the choice of optional hotel pickup. The main catch is that you must arrange your own taxi from the island pier to your hotel.

I also like the punctual operation and the clean, uncrowded boat reported by passengers who used it. Check-in is at a small brown booth beside the steps to the water at Bang Rong Pier, a useful detail that saves time. The main consideration is the fixed 3:00 pm departure and the possibility of delays or cancellation in poor sea conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• Bang Rong Pier is the Phuket starting point: Arrive at least 15 minutes before the 3:00 pm departure.
• Two island arrival points are possible: Klong Hia Pier serves Koh Yao Yai, while Manoh Pier serves Koh Yao Noi.
• The crossing takes about 30 to 40 minutes: It is a quick one-way transfer rather than a full tour.
• Hotel pickup costs extra: The service does not include hotel drop-off on the island.
• The small brown check-in booth matters: It is next to the steps leading down to the water.
• Bad weather can change the plan: You may receive a new date or a full refund if sea conditions make the crossing unsafe.

A quick ride from Phuket to a quieter island

This Green Planet transfer is best understood as a practical island connection. You are not signing up for a guided excursion, a beach stop, or a sightseeing program. You are paying to get from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi by speedboat, with the trip itself lasting roughly half an hour.

At about $16.21 per person, the fare is reasonable for a direct crossing. It costs less than arranging a private boat, and it removes some of the guesswork from reaching the islands. One useful caution: booking in person may be cheaper, but reserving ahead gives you a confirmed place and handles the basic transport details before you arrive at the pier.

The service operates daily in both low and high season. That makes it useful for a planned island stay, especially if you want a departure that fits an afternoon arrival in Phuket. The fixed 3:00 pm start also means you need to plan around it. If your flight or earlier activity runs late, this is not a transfer you can simply board at any time.

Reaching Bang Rong Pier in northeast Phuket

The Phuket departure point is Bang Rong Pier in Thep Krasatti, in the northeast of the island. If you make your own way there, arrive at least 15 minutes before departure. The check-in point is a small brown building or booth beside the steps down to the water, so do not assume you need to search for a large terminal.

The pier has free toilets, a small but useful comfort before boarding. You will want to allow enough time for the drive across Phuket to Bang Rong Pier, since the meeting point is not in the main west-coast resort area. The exact transfer time from your hotel is not given, so check your own route carefully.

Optional hotel pickup is available from Phuket for a small additional fee. This is a useful choice if you do not want to arrange a taxi to the pier, but it comes with limits. Pickup is not included from remote Phuket locations or from private villas and rental properties. Hotel drop-off at the far end is not included either.

If you select pickup, confirm that your accommodation qualifies. A central hotel may be covered, while a private rental or distant property may require you to reach the pier independently.

Boarding the speedboat at 3:00 pm

The advertised departure time is 3:00 pm. The boat carries up to 75 people, although the crossing may feel less crowded when demand is light. One passenger found there was enough space during the trip, and the boat was described as clean and on time.

That combination matters more on a speedboat than it does on a large ferry. A tidy boat, an organized boarding process, and a crew that keeps to the timetable make a short crossing much easier. Several passengers praised the staff for being polite, friendly, and efficient, while the captain received particular praise for good service.

Still, keep your expectations in check. This is a shared transfer, not a private charter. The maximum group size is 75, and seating or space can depend on the day’s bookings. The boat’s size, weather, and passenger load may also affect how comfortable the ride feels.

Basic travel insurance is included. It is a modest benefit, but it gives the booking a little more protection than an informal pier-side arrangement. You should still read the booking terms and keep in mind that weather remains a deciding factor.

The Andaman Sea crossing

Once the boat leaves Bang Rong Pier, the journey takes around 30 to 40 minutes. You will cross the Andaman Sea toward the Koh Yao islands, with open-water views along the way. The scenery is the main visual reward, but the real benefit is speed: the boat turns a potentially awkward island transfer into a short, direct ride.

This is not a narrated tour, so do not expect a guide explaining the islands or pointing out sights. Think of the crossing as a scenic connection. Keep your camera ready if you want views from the water, but remember that speedboats are built for transport rather than leisurely sightseeing.

Sea conditions can affect the experience. The operator may delay, postpone, or cancel the journey because of bad weather, rough water, or limited availability. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can be offered another date or a full refund. This policy is sensible for an open-water crossing, but it means you should avoid scheduling a tight onward plan immediately after arrival.

Arriving at Klong Hia Pier on Koh Yao Yai

If your destination is Koh Yao Yai, the boat arrives at Klong Hia Pier. From there, you arrange your own taxi to your hotel. The transfer ends at the pier, so your accommodation should be ready to help with the final road journey, or you should have a local taxi plan before boarding.

Koh Yao Yai is the larger of the two islands named in this service. The pier is simply your arrival point, not a guided introduction to the island. You will need to collect your belongings, find onward transport, and continue independently.

This arrangement keeps the ticket price low. Including hotel drop-off would make the service more complicated and more expensive, especially for hotels spread around the island. For you, the tradeoff is clear: a cheap boat ticket, followed by a separate short transfer on arrival.

Arriving at Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi

If you are staying on Koh Yao Noi, the boat arrives at Manoh Pier on the island’s southwest side. As with Koh Yao Yai, you must arrange a taxi from the pier to your hotel. The operator does not include hotel drop-off.

Be precise when choosing your destination. Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi are different islands, and the arrival pier matters. A booking for Manoh Pier is not the same as one for Klong Hia Pier. Check your hotel’s island and pier details before paying, especially if your accommodation booking uses a similar-sounding island name.

The transfer is particularly useful if you have already chosen your hotel and know where you are going next. If you have not arranged accommodation or onward transport, the pier arrival may feel less organized because the boat service ends there.

Why the timing and price work well

The $16.21 fare is good value if you want a straightforward shared ride rather than a private boat. It includes one-way speedboat transport and basic travel insurance. Pickup from a qualifying Phuket hotel is available only when you choose that option, and it costs extra.

The price makes the most sense for solo visitors and couples who would otherwise pay for a private transfer. It is also useful if you value having the booking arranged before reaching Phuket. Booking in person may cost less, according to one practical tip, but the convenience of reserving ahead can be worth the small difference.

The fixed 3:00 pm departure is both helpful and limiting. It gives you a clear plan, but you cannot use this service for an early-morning island arrival. The daily schedule covers low and high season, yet the listed departure remains the key detail to check.

What the service does well

The strongest part of this transfer is its basic competence. The boat has been described as clean, the crew as polite and well organized, and the service as punctual from hotel pickup through arrival at Koh Yao Noi.

That matters because a short transfer has little room for confusion. If pickup is late, check-in is unclear, or the boat leaves behind schedule, the whole trip becomes stressful. Here, the useful details are simple: free toilets at the pier, a recognizable check-in booth, staff who help with boarding, and a ride that generally keeps to its schedule.

The staff’s manner also earns attention. Friendly service can make a big difference when you are handling luggage, finding the right boat, or checking which island you are headed to. Do not expect a formal tour guide, but you can expect an organized transport operation.

The drawbacks to weigh first

This is not an all-inclusive island transfer. The ticket does not include a taxi from Klong Hia Pier or Manoh Pier to your hotel. It also does not include pickup from remote Phuket locations or private villas and rental properties.

You also need to accept weather risk. The provider can delay, postpone, or cancel the crossing when conditions are unsafe. You receive a new date or full refund if the cancellation is weather-related, but a disrupted crossing can still affect hotel check-in and other plans.

Finally, the service is less flexible than a private boat. There is one listed departure at 3:00 pm, and the maximum capacity is 75 people. If you want to choose your own departure time, stop along the way, or go directly to a specific resort, this transfer will not offer that freedom.

Who should book this speedboat

I would choose this service if you want a low-cost, direct connection from Phuket to Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi and already know how you will reach your hotel from the pier. It suits independent visitors who are comfortable arranging the last part of the journey themselves.

It is also a good fit if you prefer to reserve ahead rather than negotiate transport at the pier. The optional Phuket hotel pickup can simplify the start, provided your accommodation is not remote and is not a private rental excluded from the pickup area.

Families, couples, and solo visitors can all use the service, since most people can participate. You should be comfortable with a shared speedboat and with the possibility that weather may change the schedule.

Booking, changes, and the final call

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations inside 24 hours are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. This is worth noting before booking if your Phuket plans are still uncertain.

I would book it for the price, short crossing, daily operation, and record of clean boats, friendly staff, and punctual departures. I would not book it without first checking the correct island, confirming the 3:00 pm timing, and arranging a taxi from the arrival pier.

For a simple Phuket to Koh Yao connection, this is a sensible choice. For a private, flexible, hotel-to-hotel transfer, pay more and choose another option.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat ride take?

The crossing takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes.

Where does the boat leave from in Phuket?

The boat departs from Bang Rong Pier in northeast Phuket, at 2CX8+Q9M, Soi Mukthalang, Thep Krasatti.

What time does the boat leave Phuket?

The listed departure time is 3:00 pm. You should arrive at the pier at least 15 minutes before departure.

Where does the boat arrive on Koh Yao Yai?

The boat arrives at Klong Hia Pier on Koh Yao Yai.

Where does the boat arrive on Koh Yao Noi?

The boat arrives at Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi.

Is hotel pickup available in Phuket?

Yes. Hotel pickup is available from some Phuket hotels when you book that option for a small extra fee. Pickup is not included from remote locations, private villas, or rental properties.

Is hotel drop-off included on Koh Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi?

No. You must arrange a taxi from Klong Hia Pier or Manoh Pier to your hotel.

Does the ticket include insurance?

Yes. Basic travel insurance is included with the one-way speedboat transport.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted or refunded. If bad weather causes cancellation, you can be offered another date or a full refund.